The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic car made by Chevrolet. It’s known for being a performance-oriented model, and many people restore them. That’s why it’s mentioned when talking about working on classic Chevys.
“Driver quality” means the car is nice and reliable enough to actually drive and enjoy. It’s not restored to be flawless for judging or display—more like “ready to use.”
A “showpiece” is a car that’s restored mainly to look amazing for showing off. It may not be the best choice if the owner actually wants to drive it a lot.
A 1964 Corvette is a classic Chevrolet sports car from the 1960s. Here, it matters because it was the person’s first Corvette and they’re talking about how they bought it.
A convertible is a car with a roof that can be opened up so you can drive with the top down. It’s a specific kind of car setup, not just a general description.
For Corvettes, “Bloomington” usually means Bloomington Gold, a judging event where cars are checked for how correct they are. He’s talking about going there to try to earn a top award.
Term
M.I. class
“M.I. class” sounds like a category in a car show where cars are judged and scored. Getting the highest score means the car did really well compared to others in that same category.
Term
road gold
“Road gold” refers to a high-level award category in Corvette judging, typically tied to Bloomington Gold-style recognition for cars that are both correct and road-worthy. The speaker credits a mentor with finding a “road gold,” suggesting a benchmark example of an excellent, properly sorted Corvette.
Dave Burrows is the mentor the speaker credits for helping him learn about Corvettes. He’s described as someone who knew the judging standards and helped the speaker improve.
The “Grand Sport” is a Corvette model line tied to racing heritage, and “original factory” emphasizes these are authentic, factory-built race cars. The host says there were only five built, which is why this specific Corvette variant is treated like a top-tier collectible.
Le Mans is a famous long-distance endurance race. The “25 hours” detail means it’s about surviving and performing for a huge amount of time, not just a short sprint.
Term
3300 horse car
The speaker is saying their Corvette isn’t the highest-power version. In classic car collecting, the more powerful/special the engine is, the more valuable the car usually is.
“Tuxedo Block” is a named paint color. For classic cars, the exact original color and interior combo matter a lot to collectors.
Term
435
“435” is the speaker’s way of pointing to a more special, higher-performance engine setup. The takeaway is that cars with the rarer/higher-output setup tend to be worth much more.
“Side pipe” means the exhaust tips come out on the side of the car. It’s a noticeable styling/engineering detail that can signal a more performance-focused setup.
A “factory tank sticker” is an original label from the factory that helps show how the car was built. Collectors like it because it helps confirm the car’s original details.
Term
suspended body exhibits
This sounds like a display where the car body (or part of it) is hung up so you can look at it from different angles. It’s a way to show off details that you usually can’t see when the car is sitting normally.
A cutaway car is a car that’s been modified so you can see the inside—like the engine bay and other parts—without opening anything up. It’s often used for displays so people can learn how the car is put together.
“Aligned” means the shop is setting up the wheels so they point in the right directions. That helps the car drive straight and prevents uneven tire wear.
He’s saying the car had fake or illegal license plates/registration. That’s a serious warning sign because it can create legal and paperwork problems when you try to own or sell the car.
He’s talking about a classic two-speed automatic transmission called Power Glide. It matters because it changes how the car drives and also whether the car matches what buyers expect for that model.
He’s saying he checks the paperwork and records for the car. That kind of documentation helps confirm what’s original and what’s been changed over time.
The Challenger is a muscle car, meaning it’s built for strong acceleration and power. The podcast mentions it because someone wanted a very high-power version for a teenager. The concern is that a car with that much power may not be safe for a new driver.
The Volkswagen Beetle is a small classic car made by Volkswagen. A 1967 Beetle is known for being compact, so it can be difficult to fit people or do certain modifications safely. That’s why the idea mentioned in the podcast is treated as a bad plan.
A “restomod” is an older classic car that’s been fixed up, but also updated with modern parts or upgrades. People do it to make the car nicer to drive or faster, while still keeping the classic style.
“Stock” means the car is basically as the manufacturer built it, without upgrades or modifications. Collectors often prefer stock cars because they’re original.
The “drivetrain” is what sends power to the wheels—engine and transmission-related parts. “Original drivetrain” means those parts are the same as what the car came with from the factory.
A non-for-profit is an organization that doesn’t exist to make money for owners. Instead, it typically reinvests any surplus back into its mission—here, the museum.
Term
America Sports Car
The speaker is basically saying the Corvette feels like an American sports car—something that fits American car culture. They’re pointing out that you don’t just buy it for speed; you buy it because it’s “the” American sports car.
A “four-speed transmission” is the car’s manual gearbox (or a gearbox setup) with four forward gears. More gears can change how smoothly the car drives and how it pulls at different speeds.
Term
factory L867
“Factory L867” sounds like an internal factory code used to identify a specific Corvette build or option configuration. These codes matter to restorers and collectors because they help match the car’s documentation to the exact production unit.
Term
Le Mans C2 Corvette
This phrase means a Corvette that was prepared for the Le Mans race. The “C2” part is a way people label a specific racing version of the car.
They’re talking about a collector-car auction, where rare cars are sold to the highest bidder. That’s how cars like this can end up selling for huge amounts.
Term
RM
“RM” is an auction company that sells expensive collector cars. If they call you, it usually means they’re inviting you to bid or attend their auction.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV designed for off-road driving. Here, they’re talking about a 2026 Bronco with four doors, which usually gives you more room and easier entry than the two-door version.
The Sasquatch package is an off-road upgrade bundle for the Ford Bronco. It adds features meant to help the truck handle rough trails and steep obstacles more easily.
A suspension package is a set of parts that control how the car rides and handles over bumps. It can change the ride height and how the car feels when you turn or hit rough pavement.
A differential is part of the drivetrain that helps the wheels turn at different speeds when you’re cornering. That can affect traction—how well the car can put power down.
An anniversary edition is a special version of a car made to celebrate a milestone. It often has unique looks (and sometimes extra features), like special stripes or badges.
“Wimbledon white” is a specific shade of white paint that’s given a proper name by the manufacturer. It helps describe the exact color, not just “white.”
Term
375, 17
That “375, 17” is tire size information. It tells you how wide the tire is and what size wheel it fits, which affects how much rubber is on the road and how the car looks.
This is a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, a classic muscle car from the first Camaro generation. The “SS Tribute” part usually means it’s been made to look like an SS, with the matching style and details, even if it may not be the original factory configuration.
A “383 Stroker” is a modified V8 where the engine internals are changed to make more displacement. The goal is usually more torque (pulling power) than a stock engine.
An “inline six” means the engine has six cylinders lined up in a row. It’s a different engine type than a V8, and here it’s being mentioned to highlight that the car’s engine may have been swapped.
Cylinder heads are part of the engine where fuel and air get burned. “Aluminium cylinder heads” are made from aluminum instead of heavier iron, and they’re often used in performance builds.
A “turbo” is a device that uses exhaust to push more air into the engine. More air usually means more power, but it also means the engine has to be set up correctly.
A “12 bolt axle” means the axle has a specific bolt pattern—twelve bolts—where parts connect. It’s mainly important for getting the right replacement parts during repairs or restoration.
Car
1963 Crofton Brawny Bug and Trailer
This is a very rare 1963 Crofton called the Brawny Bug, and the discussion also includes its trailer. The point is that it’s an unusual classic with a distinctive look and limited production, so it stands out to collectors.
“53 cubic inch” is the engine’s size—how much space the pistons move. “Inline four cylinder” means it has four cylinders lined up in a row, which is a common engine layout.
“Overhead cam” means the camshaft sits up in the engine head. That helps control the engine’s valves more precisely than some older designs.
Term
compound three speed manual
This describes a manual gearbox that’s more complex than a basic 3-speed. The word “compound” is the confusing part—it usually means the transmission uses extra gearing inside to create more usable gear ratios.
The Ford Thunderbird is a classic Ford car that was made for comfort and style. A convertible version is one where the roof can open up. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because this particular one is in good condition and has an attractive color.
This is an automatic transmission with five gears, but you can choose the gear yourself using the shifter. It’s still automatic, just with more driver control.
The Ford F-150 is a large pickup truck made by Ford. It’s commonly used for hauling and general driving. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of an idea for a special themed vehicle.
Term
Raptor Thunderbird
“Raptor Thunderbird” sounds like a fun idea—mixing the off-road vibe people associate with the Ford Raptor with the classic Thunderbird name. It’s not a real factory car name in the usual sense.
The Ford Bronco is an SUV made for off-road driving. It’s built to handle rough terrain better than many regular cars. The podcast mentions it as part of an idea for a more extreme, off-road-focused version.
“Design to ride rough” means the car’s suspension is tuned to feel bumpy or firm on purpose. It can be intentional for durability or off-road use, not because something is broken.
This is a 2020 Kia Stinger, and “GT2” is the nicer, more performance-focused version. The dealer is pointing out the specific car they got in—its color and how many miles it has.
An eight-speed automatic is a car’s automatic gearbox with eight different gear ratios. It helps the engine stay in the right “sweet spot” for smoother driving and often better efficiency.
The 1965 Shell Valley Cobra is a famous classic sports car known for being light and powered by a big V8. Here they’re listing the exact engine and drivetrain pieces—like a 428 V8 and a manual transmission—that help explain why it’s such a strong, old-school driver’s car.
The Ford 8.8 rear axle is the rear drivetrain assembly that connects the transmission to the wheels. People like it because it’s durable and there are lots of parts available if you want to upgrade or service it.
The Tremec TR3550 is the manual transmission in this car. It’s the part that sends power from the engine to the rear wheels, and it’s built for performance driving.
Holley Sniper EFI is a fuel-injection system added to help the engine run better. Instead of a carburetor, it uses electronics to control how much fuel the engine gets.
This is a 1977 Chevrolet Nova Concorde, and it’s the kind of car people underestimate. Even though it looks rough with rust and patina, it has been built for real power and traction—so it can run hard once you drive it.
The Chrysler Concorde is a type of sedan (a regular car with four doors) made by Chrysler. In the podcast, the name is mentioned while describing a specific older two-door car and its appearance. The point is mainly about how that particular car looks.
Patina is the worn, aged surface look a car develops over time—often from oxidation and weathering. In classic-car culture, patina can be desirable because it shows the car’s history, even though it may also mean there’s rust underneath.
A “383 stroker” is a V8 engine build that’s made bigger than stock by changing internal parts. The result is usually more low-end torque, which helps a car feel punchy even without high RPMs.
Term
10 volt spooled axle
The “10-bolt” part is about the rear axle assembly. A “spool” means the rear end is locked together more than normal, so both wheels push with more force—great for acceleration, but it can feel less smooth in corners.
The “700R” is an automatic transmission used in many classic performance builds. If it’s rebuilt, it means the transmission was taken apart and repaired so it should work better and last longer behind a stronger engine.
Bucket seats are the kind of seats that wrap around you more than a bench seat. They help keep you in place, especially when the car is accelerating or cornering.
A “barn find” is a car that’s been sitting unused for years, usually in a garage or barn. When it’s found, it can be a great deal—or it might need a lot of work because it’s been sitting.
“Matching numbers” means the important parts of the car still have the original ID numbers they left the factory with. Collectors like it because it usually means the car is more original.
“Three pedals” usually means the car has a manual transmission. You use a clutch pedal plus the brake and gas, instead of just using the gas and brake like most automatics.
428 cubic inch V8 with a Tremac TR3550 five speed manual
and a Ford 8.8 rear axle.
Holley Sniper EFI.
Love that stuff.
I'm still, I'm still, I think a fan of that.
I know.
Maybe I'll have to try it on one of my cars.
They're all injected.
As far as I know.
Oh, the hearse hold.
Yeah, thank you.
Good, you could.
And last but not least, the 1977 Chevrolet Nova Concorde two door sedan.
Now this thing looks like a barn find.
It does.
It is a, what do you call those?
What is the?
Sleeper.
The sleeper.
It's just got the rust on it.
Oh, yeah, patina.
Patina.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah.
And it's an awesome sleeper.
It's got a 459 horsepower, 383 stroker, rebuilt 700R,
4-4 speed, 10 volt spooled axle, monster Nova.
You pull up next to it, you think this thing is just, you know.
Junk.
Just a junk car.
It's got a, the one thing I realized about this car is it's got a really cool body style.
It would be a great rest-o-mod.
I always thought that.
That would be, would put the right suspension and motor.
And this has got pretty high dollar bucket seats in both the front and the rear.
The rear two seats are bucket as well.
You know, I love those, those 70s Novas.
Yeah.
I thought they were always cool in the cars.
Yeah, very.
And I hadn't thought about one in a long, long time.
So coming up in a couple of weeks, Friday, June the 19th is our auction.
And our second or third annual, I can't remember.
It's our third.
Third auction.
Third auction.
So we're having a lot of fun doing it.
We have a couple of three collections of cars that are coming in the vehicles.
We'll probably end up, I don't know, 80 to 100, maybe 110.
Who knows?
You know, the last two weeks are always the.
Oh, you still got space for me, you know, at the auction.
So that's how that works.
We try to keep it one day and we don't, we're not looking to do a 400 car sale in two days
and all that stuff.
We're just trying to do it for a couple of hours, three or four hours.
Nice little diversion for everybody.
And also to get rid of some inventory that needs to go.
So some of the barn find stuff that has been here.
It needs to, project cars need to find a new home.
There's everything from project cars to matching numbers, matching Corvette.
Yeah, absolutely.
A great Corvette that we just got in.
That's a really amazing car that's got the 70 Corvette.
And then my Porsche is going to be in the 911.
It's going to be in it.
Yeah.
And then we've got some later model stuff as well.
What's your reserve on that car?
Well, I haven't decided yet.
23, 23?
Yeah, 23-ish.
So we'll just have to figure out, you know, that'll be one of those things on the block
that I'm going to either regret not taking the price that I got me or regret saying yes.
So, you know.
It'll sell one way or another there.
Pretty hot in the market.
Yeah, it's hot.
It's a great color.
Yeah.
It's that midnight blue metallic and tannin' tier.
And it's got three pedals.
That's exactly right.
So when we return next week, we're going to have a great guest on us, Zach Brant.
Oh, wow.
CEO of McLaren Racing.
That's right.
So I'm excited, excited, excited.
McLaren is just running, I think, this Sunday, which is Monaco, June, whatever it is,
the 1,000th Formula 1 race.
Wow.
So how cool is that?
Very nice.
So there's been a lot of stuff and talk about that.
So we'll talk about that a little bit.
Mostly we're going to talk about its car collection.
He's got an amazing collection.
Oh, he does?
Every race car that he has in his collection is either at one or, you know, it's not just
Will, somebody drove it in a race and they came in 20 seconds.
These all won a race.
Wow.
Something significant, usually.
Like Simmy owns me.
Every car has a significant story.
A significant story.
That's exactly right.
The best way to put it.
So we'll catch you then next week on The Classic Automall Show.
We'll see you then.
And thanks for stopping by.
You've been listening to The Classic Automall Show with your host,
Stuart Howden, executive producer Steve Saffir, produced and engineered by yours truly, J.R.
Russ.
Available on ClassicAutomall.com, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Music, courtesy of the Pat Travers Band, for tour dates,
contact and stuff, visit pattravers.com.
Produced by Car Smarts Media, copyright all rights reserved.
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About this episode
Kevin Mackay, owner of Corvette Repair, Inc., joins Stewart Howden for a Corvette-focused conversation rooted in provenance, judging, and restoration reality. They start with the Classic Auto Mall setting and inventory, then get into how Mackay learned Corvettes through Chevrolet dealership work and Bloomington Gold-style education. The shop’s approach favors “driver quality,” with specialization, documentation checks, and guidance on when not to over-invest. Rare-car stories, Le Mans verification, and market pricing—plus originality vs restomods—round out the discussion.
CAM Show #246 06-03-26 Stewart welcomes Kevin Mackay of Corvette Repair, Inc., a Corvette restorer who discusses his business www.corvetterepair.com, awards, accolades. satisfied customers and others in his specialized orbit. Steve joins later to discuss new arrivals at CAM, highlight where others have found new homes and reveal more about the upcoming CAM auction June 19, 2026. www.corvettemuseum.org. www.chipmiller.org, www.sonymusic.com, www.Barrett-Jackson.com, @BillyJoel #Corvette, #ZR1, # L88, restomods, #ReggieJackson, #carguy, https://www.facebook.com/waynecariniofficial, #BostonCeltics, #BowlingGreen. #AmeliaIsland, #WayneCarini
CONTENT NOTE: Contests, Prizes, Offers, Vehicles & other items may no longer be available or offered after each show's original broadcast or posting date.
Recorded in our Showcase Studio just inside the entrance of the Classic Auto Mall in Morgantown, PA, Host Stewart Howden, Classic Auto Mall President and Classic Car Specialist Steve Saffier talk about this unique and amazing place often with amazing guests.
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